Lucius Cypher

Keratia: Blade Maiden’s Exploits

Othie was very quiet during the operation and even afterwards. So quiet you might've though she was asleep, but anytime you'd watch over her she seemed to be looking at her wings which hung low down her back. "They feel heavy..." Was all she really had to say about it. Hours would pass without much trouble sans a storm in the distance. The few men on deck with you say that it's likely unavoidable, so there'll be rough sea's ahead. But sure enough dawn would come and you'd be relieved of your post. The sailors ate their morning meals and before too long the ship was abuzz with activity as sailors worked to get the ship ready for the oncoming storm. Naturally, you'd be allowed a serving of breakfast as well. Nothing particularly fancy, just biscuits and gravy served with a side of boiled greens. If you were willing to put in the extra silver, you'd even get some sausage and a hunk of cheese with it. Othie didn't express any personal desire to eat, so what you'd do this morning is up to you.

Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

Yorik nods his head. "Aight, I'll head to da boat an make sure they don't go nowhere. You all trail the lightning company blokes, take this." Yorik hands you his badge. "You with Shor's company now. Ye speak with his authority, specifically me. Be quick, dem gits are probably pullin a fast one on Shor, thinking his boys be leaving through da sewers, but they're probs gunna go over da cobblestone road! If they put up a fight don't be afraid ta take em down." Yorik grabs his flail and leaves the barracks. Shortfang had eyes on the Lightning Company this entire time, telling the group their rough location as you all were walking. Pylia strapped her shield on and looked towards you. "What a way to start the morning huh? Let's go!"

Overlord: Momento Mori

Long range communication is critical in any operation that relies on information being passed around faster than the speed of your voice. Being able to just straight up tell someone something important, instead of having to risk sending a messenger through enemy lines who could get captured or intercepted, is massive in a per-industrial age. Naturally, Mr. Innovation himself already has an ability to do that, though things like Bone Phones also simulate such an ability on a smaller scale.

Overlord: Momento Mori

Shortly after they were created, Mamoru’s clones would disguise themselves in a variety of ways, from merely changing their outfits to changing their hairstyle, eye color, even skin tone, some even drank rare gender bending potion. Mamoru’s task for them was simple: go out into the world and learn all they can, and infiltrate the highest of governments and authorities to solidify the Chateau’s control behind the scenes. They’ll have to improvise a bit for their backgrounds, but ultimately their skills alone ought to help them provide what they need to prove their worth. Anything worthwhile can be reported directly via Bone Phone to Bone Daddy, who’s computer-like super intelligence will allow him Yo perfectly remember and store the information for later. If for some reason any clone is about to be compromised or in danger or something g worse than death, they can always dismiss themselves and their memories will be absorbed into Mamoru.

The maid sent her clones out via tunnels, trebuchet, and simply escorting skeletal servants out from the chateau. They scattered to the four winds with big hopes of adventure and bringing glory to the Chateau. All the while the real Mamoru just felt exhausted. All this hard work made Mamoru really want to take a nap. She didn’t have anything to do off the top of her head, and Mamoru is fairly certain that some of the others have returned from their missions, so Mamoru would go visit some of he other chapter lords.

Mamoru chose to go pester the maidens at the chateau’s shrine. While the fox girls there weren’t nearly as fluffy as Ashara, they would have to entertain Mamoru for now until their head priestess returned. But fortunately for Mamoru, their head priestess had indeed returned, and Mamoru was quick to utilize every skill she had to quickly and immediately envelope herself in Ashara’s tails. “Haaaaaaiii.”

---

What a strange thing here. A grass flute growing from such a profane location. Butterfly knelt down and examined the grass, examining his options. He was given command to investigate this area which he shall. And yet... There was still yet more here to explore. Then he had an idea. Butterfly turned to the skeletal servant nearby and granted him a level of intelligence similar time his own. Though his new found sentience would only last for a few hours alone, it should be more than enough for the skeleton to study this place while Butterfly investigates the surrounding area.

He took a few reeds of the musical grass with him, shaping them into a reed flute. He wandered these dark woods alone seeking out anyone else who might be exploring the forest at night. While the others before him were looking for their goblins and danger, Butterfly wanted to know what sort of beauty could be found in this new, unknown land. He wanted to see just what sort of creatures lived here, what sort of magic inhabits this place, so foreign to his own. There were a lot of things he wanted to do now, and so Butterfly spread his wings to search.

Overlord: Momento Mori

Just doing a bit of digging around, but as it turns out the “real world” in overlord is pretty dystopian. Long story short but corporations have taken over government and a lot of public services like education and welfare end up becoming privatize and tuition based. Basically means you have to pay outta your own pocket for things like public school and being poor. Minimum education needed to enter the workforce is elementary at most. Ainz himself only achieved a middle school education.

Whack.

The Vanishing Kingdom

With a thunderous crash, the Sand Skiff ran into the crag, tossing its inhabitants violently around. Effectively locking the slavers down Tyrael approaches. He had to give these men credit: despite the chaos caused his his snakes they were collectively able to dispatch the swarm without too much trouble. They suffered a few painful bites and one was poisoned, but they were still alive. They took cover behind the high walls of the skiff, preventing Tyrael from getting a clear shot at them. Zastriel could see them clearly from her sky-eye view, but Tyrael wouldn’t be able to shoot any of them. He could test his luck letting his great arrows punch through the wood, but he only had a few great arrows to use. He couldn’t afford to use all of them for such a small encounter.

And so for a few minutes things were quiet. The slavers were taking cover, switching to bows or crossbows and trying to spot Tyrael. As for Tyrae himself he put his bow away to approach the skiff as stealthy as he could, taking advantage of his cloaks drab colors to disguise himself as a mere stone when he was still. Soon however the second distraction would occur just in cue: the three women escaped. Zastriel took the keys off the Varbuk corpse and unlocked their chains. This allowed the women to scramble to freedom, causing one of the men to get up and try to secure them. He’s only manage to capture one of the women before Zastriel suddenly made a loud, terrifying demonic noise right behind his ear, getting everyone’s attention. Now thinking they’re being attacked by not just bandits but demons now, the men chose to abandon ship, either leaping off onto the sands or cowering behind cover waiting for further assault.

This was Tyrael’s chance. One of the men jumped out from the skiff right where Tyrael could reach him, and so the orcish warrior charged forward, club poised to crush his face. The warrior, despite his fears, was able to protect himself however, deflecting Tyrael’s strike with his blade. He frightfully shouted for help as Tyrael lashed out with his club again. This time however when their weapons struck, Tyrael’s club bursted into green flames, jumping from his club to the swordman’s clothes and lighting him on fire. The flames began to burn the man and his attire causing him to fall in panic, but these magical flames could not be put out by mundane means.

Two varuk warriors would join the battle against Tyrael while the last remaining swordsman stayed on deck trying and failing to find Zastriel as she harried him. The Varuks brandished terrifying battle axes as they approached Tyrael. In turn the orcish warrior... Turned to flee into the crags. Three-against one wasn’t in his favor and he had hoped the sword man would’ve been dead by now, but alas Tyrael’s green flame, as hot as it was, would burn away quickly and leave the swordman mostly alive. Wounded, but alive, and still able to fight. Tyrael needed to take advantage of the terrain now and try and pick off or wound the warriors one-by-one rather than to let them surround and overwhelm him.

In The End (Code Vein RP)

The trio soon split, with Diamond heading up the stairs while Bridget and Delmina went to investigate the voices. Diamond would reach the top of the stairs and find something more surprising than a dusty surface or a mistle: it was a makeshift green house. What was likely once a simple glass ceiling lobby had been converted into a lush room that grew plants. Water was leaking from the various faucets that collected water from the pipes, and there was even a large rain water collector that stretched to the roof. The doors that would normally lead outside were boarded up with wood and heavy furniture, as well as a few fortifications being set up around the stair case entrance. It doesn’t look like anyone was here however.

Meanwhile the other two would soon get eyes on the young voices. Two girls, one carrying two light automatics and another smaller girl carrying a large metal barrel. The smaller girl was covered in bandages and wearing a simple white dress and a black hood. The other girl was taller, with black short-hair and wearing an eyepatch. She seemed to carefully be watching for trouble. “Kas, you sure you don’t sense any trouble?” The little girl shook her head. “I... I didn’t sense any threats... Maybe they’re friendly?” The dark haired girl looked up in the direction of the Delmina and Bridget. She carefully grasped her guns as she motioned for the other girl to hide. “I’ll check. Stay here, Kas.”

---

Ambrosia easily spots the tripwire that was strung across the entrance of the bathroom. It seemed like it triggered, it would drop some tin cans that was hidden just in the other side of the wall. Naturally, these tins were packed with blasting powder and were effectively makeshift grenades, though they used a much more primitive fuse. Disarming this trap would be easy.

Aside from the trap there initially didn’t seem to be much else. The room was dark due to the broken lights, but in one of the stalls appeared to be various barrels and buckets. It smelled of gasoline, but had a more tar-like consistency. There were also some small white vials in a package sitting where the toilet pepper would’ve been. Three vials Ichor Concentrates: used to quickly replenish ichor even in the midst of combat. Could be useful. There otherwise wasn’t anything else in this room.

D&D 5e - Hoard of the Dragon Queen

I think Parum had that lantern she took from the berserkers.

Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

Through Dinah’s eyes you spot the name “The Marianne” inscribed on the side of the boat. It was faded due to years of salt water explosive and rock damages, it legible enough for anyone who can read common. Once you got this information the others follow you back to Yorik, who was still at the barracks simply filing papers. Upon arriving Yorik notices your hurried look and takes up his shield. “Yer look like ya found trouble lassie. Wot did Ye and yers find out bout dem Lightning Louts?”

The Vanishing Kingdom

It's been eight days since Tyrael went into this desert. The arid lands were not to his liking; he could withstand surviving a harsh environment, but he lived in a forested mountain, not these dry sand flats. Fortunately he was not so prideful that he didn't take advice from people from the last town about how to traverse these sands. He made sure to pack supplies that would help him on his journey such as breathable but covering cloth that would allow him to sweat but protect his skin from the sun. He also made sure to buy plenty of water for himself as well as supplies that both last and hydrate, such as dried fruits. However not everything goes as according to plan.

About two days into his journey Tyrael was caught in a sandstorm. In a panic he tried to run to find cover, but in the process ended up being caught by a freakish wind that lifted him off of his feet and opened his pack. He had to spend most of that day gathering his supplies, and many were lost. Not to mention he lost track of his path and was uncertain of his eventual destination. Lost in the desert with limited supplies: A nightmare for most. But Tyrael wasn't the type to worry about that sort of thing. He wasn't a normal warriors after all: he was a mighty mage as well. He called for the assistance of his familiar, Zastriel, to scout the area while he did his best to find any useful supplies as he traveled. Though a desert, the place was not without it's share of bounty. Many creatures of the sand could provide nutrients if Tyrael was clever enough to catch them, and though they tasted bitter and needed careful treatment, there were indeed plans that Tyrael could live off of, at least supplementing his meager rations.

That had been Tyrael's life these past few days, and he knew it would not last for long. He had only two days worth of rations that he was already stretching to it's absolute limit. His magics unfortunately could not assist him in turning rocks into bread or sand into water, and at best could only allow him to withstand the day's burning sun and the night's chilling cold. But an orc was a creature that needs food for strength, and without food they tire easily compared to smaller and weaker creatures. Tyrael was no exception to this. Fortunately Zastiel's scouting provided some useful fruit: a sand skiff.

He had heard about these things while in his last town. They were magical boats that traverse the sands at amazing speeds. Hearing this news made Tyrael regret his arrogance: he didn't wish to pay the fee to take a skiff to the next town and assumed he could make the journey on foot. But now he would need that skiff's assistance. Or he would, if there weren't some complications. Namely that this was no passenger skiff: Zastriel spotted armed warriors, three varuks and two swordsmen, and three women in chains. Slavers. Tyrael had neither hatred nor favoritism towards their kind, as he understood the purpose of such men in these times. But because of those neutral feelings, he knew he would have no issues depriving them of their lives and resources.

Still, Tyrael had to be careful. Varuks are a mighty people and those swordsmen were likely trained warriors themselves. Tyrael was both a fighter and a mage but he was alone, and his odds against five others is slim. Not to mention that even if he could fight them, they had the advantage of a sand skimmer with supplies and likely large on-board weapons, while Tyrael at best as the element of surprise. But that's what he would need the most. Zastiel was able to listen in on the men and learn of their destination and direction. They had equipment to manage their path, which Tyrael would desperately need in order to get out of this cursed place. More importantly, he knew the best place to set up an ambush to maximize his chances to catch the men off-guard and destroy them.

And today was that day. A Sand Skiff was just that: a skiff that treads over sand. Zastial learned that there was, however, a large patch of crag the skiff would have to round. And that is where Tyrael would set up his ambush. He had already arrived and could already see the skiff from a mile off. Sending out his invisible imp to feed him information, Tyrael strapped his shield onto his arm as he also took out his large wooden bow. Unlike the bows of Sylves, the orc Ironbows require great strength. They trade in a bow's speed for a strength that rivals that of a balista. So strong that their own arrows were more akin to spears than arrows, and their strings were more like chains than ropes. Drawing a composite arrow from his bulky quiver, Tyrael observed the skiff in the distance. But now through his eyes: through the eyes of his familiar.

He could see the five men on board. The three women were dressed in simple garbs, just enough to protect them from the effects of nature, but were trapped with chains near the back of the skiff. The other men were either keeping watching or dealing with the skiff's riggings. As he drew his arrow, Tyrael whispered a spell that caused his arrow to glow slightly with runes. "Shakop ushaugit." Tyrael waited for a few seconds longer. He needed the right moment. When the wind and sky themselves were right where he needed them. Seconds became minutes until finally he released the arrow just as the Skiff was starting to turn. The skiff was still a thousand feet away, Tyrael's own form barely even a spec in the eyes of the men on board, but before they would see him they would hear a distant boom from his bow, like a tree that had cracked and begin to fall. That was the only warning they'd receive as the varuk helmsmen, still steering the skiff, would have a massive arrow fly between the spokes of the wheel and fly towards his chest.

The man would die instantly as the arrow tears through his body, impaling him against the deck of the ship. This would cause the whole craft to begin careening dangerously towards the crag, forcing the rest of the men to scramble. They wisely figure that the attack came from the crag itself and made maneuvers to avoid any additional attacks, but would fail to realize that the danger wasn't going to come from any additional arrows, but the only one fired onto the ship. Sudden the various wooden rods that made up the singular arrow shaft began to split, each one turning into an unnatural looking snake that proceeded to bite the varuk warrior who had went to take control of the wheel. Chaos would continue to spread as the snakes would slither and attack the crew, but leave the bound women alone, and more importantly provided an ample distraction for Tyrael as the skiff would crash into the rocky crag.